The Best Backpack Leaf Blowers In 2022: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

The changing of the seasons is a wonderful time of year, as we watch nature take its due course.

The weather in the sky, the smells in the air, the changing colors of the leaves, are all sensory delights that we experience throughout the year.

When is your favorite season? What’s your favorite time of year? Perhaps the blazing sun of mid-summer, or the freshness of a spring morn?

I love when Autumn is approaching. As the air cools from the summer heat, the rains start to appear again, the leaves start changing colors.

Luscious greens, deep reds, dusty browns, and mustard yellows, the colors of the leaves are gorgeous to look at.

However, these colorful beauties can wreak havoc in your yard, clogging guttering, soaking garden furniture, messing up your car, and even when walked onto your carpets!

As they fall to the ground, through either the seasonal change or strong winds, leaves seem to get everywhere, especially places you don’t want them!

So how can we deal with this unavoidable act of nature? Ah yes, the trusty rake! It has served us so well for generations.

Although these ancient tools do a great job, the emerging technology of leaf blowers may well have consigned rakes to the past.

Although there are different kinds and many models of leaf blowers, we will take a deep dive into the world of backpack leaf blowers.

What is a backpack leaf blower? It is a leaf blower that is either gas-powered or battery-powered, one which can be worn as a backpack when being used.

This gives the user more support, more comfort and control, as well as more power.

Read on to discover all about backpack leaf blowers, how they work, what their many parts do, what features they have, and also which ones are the best on the market today.

Husqvarna 350BT

Husqvarna Group was founded in 1689 in Sweden. 1689! The company started out making muskets and has gone on to continue growing over the past 333 years.

Now, their product range is incredibly diverse, as they produce goods including motorcycles, bicycles, kitchen appliances, sewing machines, hunting weapons, and outdoor products.

It’s this fantastic and unrivaled experience that aids Husqvarna in producing some top-quality garden products.

The 350BT is an impressive 2-stroke gas-powered leaf blower that’s chock-full of incredible features.

The X-TORQ engine technology increases fuel efficiency by up to 20% on gas blowers and reduces harmful exhaust emissions by up to 75%.

This powerful blower gives out an impressive 692.17 CFM as well as a mighty 180 MPH wind flow. The Air Purge function removes air from the carburetor and fuel system for easier starting.

Users have great control over the blower thanks to the cruise control and the ergonomic harness system.

Another great feature is the dampers between the engine and chassis to efficiently reduce vibrations, which make it a more comfortable user experience.

Pros

X-TORQ engine technology for reduced emissions and improved efficiency
180 MPH (Miles Per Hour) air velocity
17 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) air volume
Air Purge function for easy starting
Cruise control & variable speed throttle
Ergonomic harness & hip belt system for comfort and control

Cons

Some users advised that regular maintenance may be required

This can also be purchased at Leaf Blowers Direct.

Echo Backpack Blower PB-770T

The Echo PB-770T is a phenomenal piece of equipment that offers a quality build and truly impressive performance.

It’s powered by a 63.3 cc 2-stroke engine that features variable speeds and useful cruise control.

The throttle is mounted on the tube for improved control, and the tube itself is flexible for improved handling.

This powerful engine is capable of creating an airspeed of an astounding 234 MPH, more than enough to clear away even the toughest and heaviest of debris.

It also packs a powerful air volume of 756 CFM, and I found that it was incredibly efficient.

The power is made easier to handle thanks to the padded backrest and shoulder straps, whilst the wide-angle tube rotation allows for easy maneuverability.

The unit also features a vented back pad for improved comfort and to stop you from overheating when using the blower.

Pros

Powerful 63.3 cc 2-stroke engine with variable speeds and cruise control
Translucent fuel tank for easy monitoring
234 MPH (Miles Per Hour) air velocity
756 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) air volume
Comfortable and easy to handle

Cons

Some reports of carburetor needing replacing after extended use

This can also be purchased at Echo.

Schröder SR-6400L

Robert Schröder founded the company in 1948 when he started producing precision machine parts.

The company has gone on to establish itself as a manufacturer of precision, high-quality and high-performance products.

The SR-6400L is a brilliant backpack leaf blower that is sure to give you performance worthy of the company’s reputation.

It weighs in at under 20 lbs, making it lightweight and easy to use for extended periods.

I also found it comfortable, thanks in part to the padded shoulder straps and back support.

It’s powered by a 53.3 cc 3.7 HP 2-stroke engine that produces an astounding 920 CFM in air volume, and a superb maximum air velocity of 230 MPH.

This makes the SR-6400L a truly high performing piece of machinery. The deal included a 5-year commercial warranty and 45 days 100% money-back guarantee.

Pros

Maximum air velocity of 230 MPH (Miles Per Hour)
920 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) air volume
Incredibly lightweight and comfortable design
5-year commercial warranty & 45 days 100% money-back guarantee
3 cc 2-stroke 3.7 HP engine

Cons

Some users had difficulty starting the engine, though I didn’t myself

This can also be purchased at Schröder.

Makita EB5300TH MM4

Makita has been in operation in some form since it was founded in 1915 in Japan.

This rich experience combined with their high-quality construction has aided Makita in building up a strong level of brand recognition amongst users of power tools.

The EB5300TH is a superb piece of gardening equipment, combining solid, durable construction with a number of brilliant features.

The 52.5 cc MM4 4-stroke commercial engine is a step-up from many 2-stroke engines in terms of its performance and output.

It conveniently used straight gas and doesn’t need mixing like 2-stroke models, whilst it also helps the engine run quieter, reduces emissions and allows it to sit comfortably whilst idle.

The featured Mechanical automatic engine decompression consistently ensures quick and easy starting.

The blower produces a solid 516 CFM of air volume whilst also reaching air velocity of up to 184 MPH, a powerful combo for even the most steadfast of debris.

It features a large capacity replaceable air filter and the awesome tool-less handle adjustment for efficient adjustment on the fly.

Pros

5 cc MM4 4-stroke Commercial duty engine
516 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) air volume
Maximum air velocity of 184 MPH (Miles Per Hour)
No mixing of gas, use normal unleaded fuel
Mechanical automatic engine decompression for quick and easy starts

Cons

Some users reported issues with operating at full power after extended use

This can also be purchased at Max Tool.

Poulan Pro PR48BT

Poulan is actually a brand range within the Husqvarna Group, though it didn’t start out that way.

It was founded as the Poulan Saw Co. in 1946, changing hands a few times until Electrolux bought it out in 1984.

The Poulan branding is often used on outdoor products such as leaf blowers, lawnmowers, and chainsaws, and these are usually in the mid-range of pricing.

The Poulan Pro range is aimed further towards the top tier of the market, something of a ‘luxury’ brand.

Due to its connection to the Husqvarna Group, their products frequently share a lot of the same technologies and features.

The PR48BT is powered by a 48 cc 2-stroke engine, which features cruise control and variable speeds.

The blower is capable of blasting out air speeds of up to 200 MPH, as well as a respectable air volume of 475 CFM.

The design is lightweight and comfortable to wear thanks to the load-reducing harness and easily adjustable shoulder straps.

Pros

48 cc 2-stroke engine with cruise control
Air velocity of up to 200 MPH (Miles Per Hour)
475 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) air volume
Lightweight design for easy and comfortable use
Built with Husqvarna technology

Cons

Some users report trouble with consistent performance

This can also be purchased at Home Depot.

Husqvarna 150BT

The second Husqvarna featured in our list, the 150BT also shares many features of the 350BT model.

It similarly features the X-TORQ engine technology for reduced emissions and improved efficiency, though its performance metrics are a little different.

Although the air volume output is lower at 434 CFM, it’s maximum air velocity is a startling 251 MPH.

The Air Purge function ensures easy starting every time, whilst I found it comfortable to wear and use.

The ergonomic harness and hip belt system not only make it comfortable to wear, but also allow for much easier control of the blower.

The throttle is capable of various speeds, and the cruise control setting helps maintain smooth operation when in use.

The Auto Return Stop Switch automatically resets to the ON position to make it quick and easy to restart when needed.

Pros

X-TORQ engine technology for reduced emissions and improved efficiency
251 MPH (Miles Per Hour) air velocity
434 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) air volume
Air Purge function for easy starting
Cruise control & variable speed throttle
Ergonomic harness & hip belt system for comfort and control

Cons

Some customers advised that repairs were needed quite often

This can also be purchased at Husqvarna.

Greenworks Pro BPB80L2510

A fantastic battery-powered backpack leaf blower from the team at Greenworks.

The company was founded in 2002 in Canada by Yin Chen, a key individual in the adoption of battery power in outdoor equipment.

An environmentally friendly alternative to gas-powered leaf blowers, this model still packs quite a punch.

With a maximum air velocity of 180 MPH and up to 610 CFM of air volume, this blower performed above my initial expectations.

The battery pack is fast charging in only forty-five minutes, though we recommend purchasing an additional battery pack too.

This is due to the run time being around twenty minutes, which may not be enough for your intended task.

The advanced brushless motor technology delivers more torque, runtime, and helps to extend the blower’s life span.

The blower also features variable speeds with cruise control, as well as a Turbo Button for when a little something extra is needed.

Pros

Environmentally friendly rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack
610 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) air volume
Top airspeed of 180 MPH (Miles Per Hour)
Variable speeds and cruise control
Rapid charging in only 45 minutes
Limited 4-year tool and battery warranty

Cons

Running time is quite low compared to gas-powered, so be sure to purchase an additional battery pack

This can also be purchased at Walmart.

LawnMaster NPTBL31AB

The NPTBL31AB is a great piece of gardening equipment from the well-established brand of LawnMaster.

This model features a powerful 31 cc 2-cycle full crank engine and a 7.2V rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

It blasts out a maximum air volume of 470 CFM and a maximum velocity of 175 MPH, a combination sure to prove effective.

This model features a No-Pull electric start button that is good for 150 starts on only a single charge.

Controlling this machine is made smoother thanks to the automatic choke, variable speed throttle, and cruise control.

Comfort is improved due to the padded ventilation harness and anti-vibration engine mount.

Pros

Powerful 31 cc 2-cycle full crank engine & 2V rechargeable Lithium-ion battery,
Maximum air volume of 470 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
Maximum air velocity of 175 MPH (Miles Per Hour)
No-pull electric start button
Automatic choke, variable speed & cruise control
Anti-vibration engine mount

Cons

A minority of users spoke of battery charging issues

This can also be purchased at LawnMaster.

Wild Badger Power WBBPBL43

The WBBPBL43 is powered by a 43 cc 2-stroke gas engine that produces a maximum air volume of 550 CFM and a respectable maximum air velocity of 190 MPH.

This makes the Wild badger suitable for all kinds of interior and exterior needs.

The unit comes in at under 20 lbs, making it lightweight and easy to use over longer periods of time and greater distances.

The throttle has variable speeds as well as cruise control for quick and easy adjustment on the go.

The comfortable straps and multi-material suspension system ensure the weight of the unit is distributed evenly between the user’s shoulders and hips.

It comes with a truly outstanding and industry-leading 6-year warranty, ensuring that any issues which may arise will be taken care of by the manufacturer.

Pros

Powered by a 43 cc 2-stroke engine
Maximum air volume of 550 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
Maximum air velocity of 190 MPH (Miles Per Hour)
Lightweight and comfortable design
6-year manufacturers warranty

Cons

Some parts are plastic, which have broken for some customers

This can also be purchased at Garden Season.

Gdrasuya Backpack Leaf Blower

One of the models from the cheaper end of the market, the Gdrasuya backpack leaf blower still provides good, useful leaf blowing functionality.

It runs on a 65 cc 3.6 HP 2-stroke engine that is capable of producing a maximum air velocity of 210 MPH, fantastic for a model at this end of the market.

The engine is air-cooled to prevent overheating and allow for extended use in one session. It has a large fuel tank capacity of 1.7 liters, though as a 2-stroke engine, it does require the special mixed fuel.

Pros

The cheaper end of the market
65 cc 3.6 HP air-cooled engine
7-liter fuel tank
Maximum air velocity of 210 MPH.

Cons

Build quality not as high as more expensive options

This company is an Amazon seller only for the U.S. market.

Buyer’s Guide

Introduction To Backpack Leaf Blowers

Most leaf blowers fall into two categories. The first category is the big ones that come with built-in vacuum systems.

These typically range anywhere from 15 to 48 inches long. They often weigh between 10 and 20 pounds.

While these blowers can handle the heavy leaves of large trees, not everyone wants to use them.

This type of blower is great for cleaning out driveways and sidewalks that haven’t been swept yet, or for clearing debris after storms.

It can even suck leaves off rooftops if you need to clear a place of snow. These types of blowers are usually very durable, but they can cost a lot of money.

The second category includes smaller versions of garden hoses, such as the ones sold under the name LeafBlaster.

These models only have a manual power switch and typically consist of a PVC tube attached to a metal wand. Most are made to fit inside a backpack, so you can easily carry them with you.

Many of these models come with an attachable shoulder strap. Because of their size, these tools are ideal for use indoors.

They can easily reach up into corners or even climb over furniture to blow away leaves from upper shelves of bookcases or coffee tables.

Since they work manually, however, while they are easy to store and transport, they don’t provide nearly the same level of strength or durability as their larger counterparts.

Their usefulness depends entirely upon their flexibility. If you plan on using them mostly on indoor tasks, then you probably won’t find any better deals than this.

However, if you plan on using yours outdoors as well, then we recommend looking elsewhere.

Before you buy one, you should think about whether you will be using a leaf blower as much indoors as you will outdoors.

If you only have outdoor access, or you’re planning on buying a different model primarily for indoor use, then you can skip reading ahead.

If you plan on doing both, thoug